In today's job market, the résumé is an important tool for anyone looking for work. Everyone, from the new entrant into the workforce to the experienced professional, will benefit from a well-written résumé. Many employers require a résumé be sent as the first method of contact. It can be used to capture an employer's attention, even when no job is advertised. Just as a job search is a sales campaign, your résumé is your sales brochure. More than a summary of your skills, experience, and education, it is an advertisement of your best. Your résumé should make you stand out from the competition.

The use of electronic technology to manage the overwhelming number of résumés employers receive is increasing rapidly. Today many companies and employment agencies are using scanners to enter résumés into a computer. These résumé scanning systems use varying degrees of artificial intelligence to screen the résumé for desired skills and rely heavily on keywords.

Take the time to organize your job search information, including education, employment, and references. Focus on your skills and accomplishments and look for ways to sell your qualifications. A prospective employer does not just want to know where you worked, but also wants to know what you can do.

Résumé Formats

Chronological (View sample)
The emphasis is on a chronological listing of employment and employment-related experiences. The chronological résumé is a good format for those with a consistent employment history, no gaps in employment, and whose past employment experiences are related to their current employment goals. It effectively showcases a steady work record with increasing upward responsibilities. This may not be the best for new graduates, individuals with job gaps, or persons changing careers.

Functional (View sample)
The functional résumé highlights skills, experience and accomplishments without identifying specific dates, names and places. This format is organized by functions or skills, advertising the specific qualifications needed for the occupation. This résumé works well for people changing careers. It is also effective for those re-entering the workforce, first-time job seekers and when highlighting experiences that occurred in the distant past. There is no chronological listing of employment. Consequently, many employers do not like this format; it creates suspicion that the person may be trying to hide something.

Combination
The combination résumé brings together the best of both the chronological and functional resumes. It features a functional section that highlights skills, accomplishments and experiences. It also includes a chronological listing of employment, education and employment-related experiences. This is a very effective format for many job seekers. The best chronological résumé is enhanced with a section highlighting skills, accomplishments and experience. The best functional résumé is strengthened with a chronological listing of employment experiences.

Keyword
The keyword résumé is a variation that adds a listing of skills to the beginning of any standard résumé format. Placing critical occupational skills as keywords at the beginning adds impact to the résumé and helps to capture the reader's attention. This variation is effective for all career fields and levels of skills. It is a very effective strategy for creating scannable résumés.

Targeted
More of a strategy than a style, the targeted résumé directs skills and experience to the specific needs of an employer. All résumés at least need to target a specific occupation. This approach targets it further to the employer and the job. It is a very powerful résumé method that can set you apart from the competition and capture an employer's interest. For executive positions and specialized technical jobs, this strategy is almost a necessity. However, this requires writing a separate résumé for each employment opportunity.

Résumé Layout

The résumé created by the job seeker needs to be unique. There is no one layout that fits everyone. However, there are some standard résumé categories.

Personal Data
Your name, complete mailing address, and telephone number(s) with area code are all the personal data required. List this information in a "block" format instead of placing the information on one line.

Employment or Career Objective
Include an objective if you have a specific career goal in mind, or you know the title of the job for which you are applying. If you omit the objective on the résumé, be sure to communicate it elsewhere, such as in the cover letter.

Summary or Highlights of Qualification
Generally employers will spend less than 10 seconds screening your résumé the first time. Their goal is to eliminate as many candidates as possible and concentrate on the best. Therefore, highlighting your qualifications early in the résumé is an effective way to improve your chances for consideration.

Body of Résumé
The résumé format you choose will determine the sequence of information. For a chronological résumé, employment history comes next. In a functional résumé, the summary sections would follow. The combination format would include both summary sections and chronological listings.

Education
Unless you are a recent graduate, your education should be placed toward the end of the résumé. If you are a recent graduate, then it may be listed earlier in the body. List only education that is significant to your job search. There is no need to list high school education if you have a college degree. If you have a GED, list yourself as a high school graduate.

Other Activities
List only those activities that relate to your occupational goal and show skill or experience. It is best not to mention specific religious or political organizations unless they directly relate to your goal. Military experience may be listed as a separate section or as a part of the work history.

References
References do not belong on the résumé. They should be listed on a separate sheet. Send the references with the résumé only when specifically requested by the employer. There is no need to state "References available upon request." It is assumed that you will provide them.